The World's Best Book Summaries
Are democracies safe as long as they respect the rule of law? What does history tell us? A major component of modern liberal democracies is the rule of law—the belief that the state is constrained by some higher standard of conduct. However, the rule of law is not a complete safeguard of democracy. Continue reading to learn about the limitations of the rule of law.
Why does inequality exist, and when did it start? Is inequality a necessary evil of any large, complex society? David Graeber and David Wengrow attempted to answer these questions by looking at historical and anthropological research. They found that our beliefs about the evolution of societies have been wrong. They discuss their findings in the book The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity. Keep reading for an overview of this thought-provoking book.
What are the different methods of storing information? What is an external storage system? In Building a Second Brain, Tiago Forte claims that modern humans need an external storage system (ESS). This is a digital platform to store all the important ideas, information, and work they encounter. Continue reading to learn Forte’s advice for using your external storage system effectively.
Does medication help ADHD? Why are some people against medication? Certain medications can help manage ADHD, but there is a stigma behind taking medication for this condition. In Driven to Distraction, Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey explain that some people believe they’ll become dependent on medication if they try it. Let’s look at how the authors suggest handling these misconceptions.
What type of business are you in? What is the key to identifying your potential market? In The Minimalist Entrepreneur, Sahil Lavingia says the first step in building a minimalist business is identifying the right business for you. To do this, you need to find your niche and establish yourself within the community. Let’s look at how to identify your potential market.
What are “first principles” in philosophy? What are some things you should keep in mind when reasoning from first principles? First principles are self-evident assumptions that ground your reasoning. For example, in deciding which career path to pursue, you might follow the first principle that upward mobility is valuable. Here are some things you should watch out for when using the first-principles method of reasoning.
Do you overthink everything? Do you want to know how to calm your mind from overthinking? Overthinking can become a harmful cycle if you don’t do anything to stop it. Eventually, your anxiety will negatively affect your mental and physical well-being if not treated. If you want to stop dwelling and start living, check out how to calm your mind from overthinking below.
How does controlled breathing help you tap into your body’s latent capabilities? What are some things you can accomplish with controlled breathing? From Tibetan monks to athletes, there are those who have found ways to use controlled breathing to alter mental states and perform seemingly miraculous feats. Among other things, controlled breathwork techniques can control body temperature, regulate the nervous system, and even alter the heartbeat. Keep reading to learn about controlled breathing practices.
How does utilitarianism define happiness? What does utilitarian happiness have to do with morality? Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that prescribes actions that maximize welfare or happiness. Utilitarians argue that happiness and pain are the only ways we can measure morality—morally good things make people happy, while morally bad things cause people pain. Keep reading to learn about the utilitarian conception of happiness and how can be measured.
Are you looking for The Unplugged Alpha quotes by Richard Cooper? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In The Unplugged Alpha, Richard Cooper argues that modern men have been taught a series of lies regarding dating and society in general. He explains how men can unplug from society’s lies and embark on the path of becoming the alpha male that women desire. Below is a selection of quotes from Richard Cooper’s The Unplugged Alpha: The No Bullsh*t Guide To Winning With Women & Life.